Illumina Protein Prep

Illumina Protein Prep combines trusted Illumina chemistry, SOMAmer technology, and DRAGEN data analysis for a comprehensive, automated NGS-based proteomics solution.

~2.5 days

Assay time

~4 hr

Hands-on time

55 µL of human plasma or serum

Input quantity

See full details in the specifications table

Illumina Protein Prep is available for Early Access
Early access to our innovative solution is now available for plasma and serum samples with a 6K unique human protein panel (with limited technical support).

Overview

Illumina Protein Prep enables discovery and quantification of human proteins across more than 200 biological pathways using a SOMAmer-based proteomics assay with an NGS readout. 

Key features

  • More than 6K unique human protein targets (over 9K protein targets available in 2025) in a single plasma or serum sample with NGS readout on NovaSeq Systems

  • Sample to results in under 2.5 days with just 4 hours of hands-on time 

  • Integrated analysis via BaseSpace Sequence Hub, DRAGEN Secondary Analysis, Illumina Connected Analytics, and Partek Flow

Rigorous validation

SOMAmer Reagents used in the Illumina Protein Prep assay are rigorously characterized by shape specificity and polyionic competition and orthogonally confirmed by methods such as mass spectroscopy and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).

Sensitive, dynamic, and accurate

SOMAmer Reagents in Illumina Protein Prep provide femtomolar sensitivity with high reproducibility and a 10 log dynamic range.

High throughput scalability

The entire workflow is automated on a single platform, providing an end-to-end solution for processing 340 samples and 44 controls per week, with seamlessly integrated secondary analysis pipelines and comprehensive tertiary analysis solutions.

Specifications

Required products

Illumina Protein Prep Automation System (Required one-time purchase. The assay must be automated using the Illumina Protein Prep Automation System. Contact your local Illumina Account Manager to learn more about our Illumina Protein Prep service partners). 

 

Choose either the plasma or serum assay based on your preferred input sample type:

Illumina Protein Prep 6K Plasma, 96 reactions (Catalog no. 20104377),* or 

Illumina Protein Prep 6K Serum, 96 reactions (Catalog no. 20104378)*

 

Choose one index plate per 96-reaction kit: 

Illumina DNA/RNA UD Indexes, Tagmentation (96 indexes, 96 samples) 

Set A (Catalog no. 20091654)

Set B (Catalog no. 20091656)

Set C (Catalog no. 20091658)

Set D (Catalog no. 20091660)

 

*Illumina Protein Prep is in early access. Please contact an Illumina specialist for more information.

/ Results

Applications

Illumina Protein Prep enables sequence-ready libraries for the detection of 6000 unique human proteins for proteomic discovery and quantification applications, including biomarker discovery and population genetics studies. 

Example workflow

1
Prep

Illumina Protein Prep 6K, Plasma (96 reaction)

2
Sequence
3
Analyze

Project recommendations

Instrument Recommended number of samples Read length
NovaSeq 6000 System

192 reactions per flow cell on S4 35c

40M reads, 1 x 35

NovaSeq X System

192 reactions per flow cell on 10B 100c

40M reads, 1 x 100

Related applications and methods

Documentation

Product literature
Support documentation

A dedicated support section is not currently available for this product

Figures

Overview of the Illumina Protein Prep solution

Overview of the Illumina Protein Prep solution

Human serum or plasma samples are used as input to the SomaScan assay, followed by Illumina library prep, automated on Illumina Protein Prep Automation System, and sequenced on a NovaSeq System.

Detecting protein abundance changes associated with menopause in plasma samples using microarrays and NGS

Detecting protein abundance changes associated with menopause in plasma samples using microarrays and NGS

Differential expression of three menopause-related genes was detected using microarray and NGS. Plasma samples from 85 healthy individuals showed higher protein levels in older females. Data were comparable between methods. Genes: FSH, HCG, and LH.

Summary of precision metrics shows consistently low CV

Summary of precision metrics shows consistently low CV

Unlike polyclonal antibodies, which can be variable in structure and performance, SOMAmer Reagents are based on binding kinetics, providing femtomolar sensitivity and excellent reproducibility, with a low median coefficient of variance (CV) under 10%.

Protein-capture using the SOMAScan assay

Protein capture using the SOMAScan assay

SOMAmer Reagents (blue) contain a photocleavable linker and biotin. Bound to streptavidin beads, they capture specific proteins and tag with biotin (yellow). UV light breaks the linker, releasing SOMAmer-protein complexes, which are captured on new beads and eluted for quantification using NGS.

lllumina Protein Prep NGS conversion chemistry

lllumina Protein Prep NGS conversion chemistry

Following the SomaScan assay, SOMAmer Reagent abundances are converted to barcoded sequencing-ready libraries using a hybridization-based approach.

Library prep (2)

ILMN Protein Prep 6k Plasma, 96 Reactions

20104377

Library Prep Kit for Illumina Proteomics Assay – Plasma Sample type. LP kit enables 96 reactions(85 samples + 11 Controls)

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ILMN Protein Prep 6k Serum, 96 Reactions

20104378

Library Prep Kit for Illumina Proteomics Assay – Serum Sample type. LP kit enables 96 reactions(85 samples + 11 Controls)

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Automation (1)

Illumina Protein Prep Automation System

20116818

This package supports customers who wants to automate their Illumina Protein Prep Assay. It includes a Tecan Fluent OEM automation system equipped to run Illumina Protein Prep Assay protocols, robotic accessories, and the control software to run the assay.

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Index adapters (4)

Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set A, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples)

20091654

Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set A, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples) Includes 96, 10 bp indexes sufficient for labeling 96 samples. Purchase library prep and enrichment reagents and probe panels separately.

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Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set B, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples)

20091656

Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set B, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples) Includes 96, 10 bp indexes sufficient for labeling 96 samples. Purchase library prep and enrichment reagents and probe panels separately.

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Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set C, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples)

20091658

Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set C, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples) Includes 96, 10 bp indexes sufficient for labeling 96 samples. Purchase library prep and enrichment reagents and probe panels separately.

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Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set D, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples)

20091660

Illumina® DNA/RNA UD Indexes Set D, Tagmentation (96 Indexes, 96 Samples) Includes 96, 10 bp indexes sufficient for labeling 96 samples. Purchase library prep and enrichment reagents and probe panels separately.

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FAQs

SOMAmer technology (aptamer-based) is used for protein capture. See Protein capture using the SOMAScan assay in the Figures tab on this page.

Human plasma and serum samples.

The Illumina Protein Prep 6K assay detects more than 6000 unique human proteins with expansion to more than 9000 unique human proteins in early 2025. This panel can be used to detect proteins in major biological pathways, including those implicated in oncology, neurology, inflammation, and cardiology.

Secondary analysis generates a protein quantification file (ADAT) and QC report.

/ Results

Order the NovaSeq X Series

Advanced chemistry, optics, and informatics combine to deliver exceptional speed and data quality, outstanding throughput and scalability.

NovaSeq X Series Reagent Kits

Reagent kits for the NovaSeq X Series include a reagent cartridge, buffer cartridge, flow cell, lyo insert, pre-load buffer, and library tube strip.

NovaSeq 6000 Reagent Kits

Reagent kits for the NovaSeq 6000 System consisting of ready-to-use pre-filled reagent cartridges and flow cells.

Speak with a specialist

Reach out for information about our products and services, or get answers to questions about our technology.